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Strategies for Homeowners and

HOAs Working Together

Bridging the Divide

Claire Lewis

Tina McIntyre

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Perceptions of FFL Influencing Agreement between Homeowners and HOA Boards

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Perceptions Influencing Homeowners and HOA Boards

• Homeowners & HOA board members

• Knowledge and perception of FFL

• Preferences for landscapes

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Focus Group

Series of questions

Evaluate images

Data Analysis

• Recorded

• Transcribed

• Qualitative data analysis

software

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Topics Identified

Topic Area 1—Aesthetics: the

look or appearance of the

yard.

• Includes design but also the

maintenance & health of the

landscape

Topic Area 2—Environment:

health of the environment-

water quantity and quality.

• Green turf not green ponds

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Topics Identified

Topic Area 3—Cultural/Social:

the social norms of

community home

landscapes.

• Cohesive community look and

high property values

Topic Area 4—Education:

knowledge of Florida-Friendly

Landscaping™.

• Misconceptions

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HOA Board Members

• Aesthetics/property more important than environmental concerns

• More turf = ↑ home value

• FFL - not aesthetically pleasing/did not fit the neighborhood

• Narrow idea of “acceptable”

• FFL - more difficult to monitor and confront

owners

• FFL environmentally friendly, concerned FFL

plants invasive

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Residents

• Aesthetics/environment important

• Open to turf alternatives

• Willing to be different, but not too different

• Enforcement of regulations were

inconsistent

• Change regulations to benefit the

environment

• FFL plants drought resistant, native, wildlife

friendly

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Both

• Identified FFL with water conservation

• Did not like stones or weeds

• HOA approval important

• Homes are emotional investments

• Difficulty visualizing FFL landscapes

• Value of codified regulations

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Important Concepts

Turf is a catalyst for difference

of opinion/discussion.

• Include some turf, unless site conditions don’t support it

• Turf is the common feature that provides continuity.

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Important Concepts

Weeds catalyst for maintenance

• Weeds represent lack of care and responsibility

• Design landscape to minimize weeds- use mulch.

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Important Concepts

Concern is about maintenance not about FFL vs. Traditional

• Observe yards to determine what appears to be the “norm” for maintenance

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Important Concepts

Aesthetics not about how ‘pretty’

• About plant selection, location, maintenance.

• Design landscapes to look good with very little maintenance- plants with clean forms.

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Plant forms

Trees

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Plant forms

Shrubs

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Plant forms

Groundcover

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Strategy 1: Become Familiar With FFL

• Locate plants in original plant beds

• Mulch plant beds

• Use a variety of plant material for biodiversity

• Plant trees for shade and energy efficiency

• Design for LOW maintenance

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Strategy 1: Become Familiar With FFL

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Strategy 2: Understand the FFL State Law

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Strategy 3: Become

familiar with your HOA

Landscaping rules and

regulations

• Review Approval Process

• Check Regulations

• Other Questions:

• Are construction and/or landscape plans required?

• Does Board have “Sole Discretion” for approval?

• Is approval required in writing?

• Does “Approval” apply to modification of landscaping including planting and removal of plants?

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Strategy 3: Become familiar with your HOA Landscaping rules and regulations

Meet your HOA board members

Check plant lists and regulations

Check turf requirements

Note restricted elements

Read your association newsletter

Review your property boundary survey

Talk to neighbors who have been through the approval process

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Strategy 4: Observe landscapes in your community

Study the neighborhood style

Note the arrangement of plants

Plant choices

Use of turf

Material choices

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Strategy 5: Study photos of FFL yards from other communities

Collect photos of FFL

yards you like

Include photos in your

application to the board

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Strategy 6: Do an inventory and analysis of your yard

Record site conditions in

your yard

Gather soil samples

Analyze the site conditions

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Strategy 7: Create a list of FFL plants

Compile a list of FFL plants

Check your list against the

recommended plant list

from the HOA

Research turf for your area

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Strategy 8: For Difficult Areas, Consider Hardscape, Mulch or Groundcovers

Design hardscape areas

first

Use pathways

Incorporate other materials

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Strategy 9: Develop a landscape

plan Draw a master site plan

Include photos of plants with

plan

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Strategy 9: Develop a Landscape Plan

View

Include plan view and section drawings.

Vegetation

Include trees, plant beds, and plants around utilities.

Hardscape

Include other features such as pathways, fences, furniture, and water features.

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Define desired plant

characteristics

SizeHeight and width are the

easiest to measure.

LocationLarge plants on property

boundaries and small or

medium shrubs under

windows.

DistanceGive appropriate distances

for trees from building walls.

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Define the Use of Turf

Use plan view drawings showing typical front yards

Deeply curved beds that bring “ribbons” of turf from the foreground deep into the yard give the impression of more turf.

It is also helpful to show the same yard as viewed from the street.

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Strategy 10: Include a landscape description in

application

• Explain neighborhood fit

• Turf strip

• Similar plants

• Same form plant beds

• Explain plant choices

• Site conditions

• Low maintenance

• Pest resistant

• Low water use

• Long lived

• Aesthetic

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Landscape design tips

Use “ribbons” of turf from the foreground deep into the yard

Gives the impression of more turf

Use manicured plants in the front of the yard and less manicured plants by the house and deeper into the yard

Gives the impression of a manicured look throughout the landscape

Plant trees and shrubs an appropriate distance from the house

Landscape does not look over grown

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Design a Winner!

Design for Maintenance

• Plant selection

• Homeowner or professional

• Type of maintenance

Design for Aesthetics

• Plant selection

• Plants with pleasing form

• Fit aesthetics of neighborhood

Design for Environment

• Plant selection

• Plants pest and disease resistant

• Water use and protection

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